Dispensing apparatus



Jm zo, 1953 O. J. EIDE ET AL DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 13. 1950 Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES 'PATENT 'OFFICE DISPENSING APPARATUS This invention vis directed to the provision of improved apparatus for vdispensing controlled quantities .of:liquids, especially lviscous liquid suspension-s 'containing a high proportion of solids Which tend to clog conventional dispensing devices, and which require constant agitation to avoid `settlement of the suspended solids.

.Thefdispensing apparatus `of the invention comprisesia -vesseldivided -interiorly by a vertical partition :into a reservoir .compartment and a `discharge compartment. A divider 'plate .extending from said lpartition to 'a wall of the vessel sep- .farates the lower 'portion of the discharge compartment into a dispensing chamber and an overflow chamber. `An outlet pipe communicating :through .said kpartition with the .interior of the reservoir compartment projects into the discharge compartment and therein carries a swing pipe which is movable through an arc of travel across the nupper edge of the divider plate from the dispensing chamber to the -overiiow chamber. Means are vprovided for moving the vswing pipe through its 'arc of travel, and for holding it :in 'any chosen position in such arc of travel. A delivery conduit communicating `with the interior of the :dispensing :chamber is provided for withdrawing liquid discharged from the reservoir .compartment through the `swing pipe and detflected by the vdivider plate into the dispensing vchamber..

The upperedge, or a part of the upper edge, of the partition between the reservoir compartment and the discharge compartment forms an overow Weir; .or the partition :is apertured adjacent .its upper Vedge to .form .such Weir. Means are provided `for introducing liquid to .be dispensed into the reservoir compartment, .and for maintaining such compartment full of liquid to the level Aof the Weir., which is somewhat above the outlet ..pipe to which the swing pipe is secured. 'Excess liquid overflows the weir .from the .reservoir compartment into the overflow chamber .of :the discharge compartment, whence it `may be withdrawn .and :recirculated ,again back to the .reservoir compartment. .A part .of the continuous stream of liquid delivered through the swing pipe `also normally is deected by the dividerplateinto the -overiiow chamber., and recrculates with the Yoverflow from the reservoir compartment. A baille advantageouslyiis :arranged in the-discharge compartment to prevent the overflow from lthe reservoir compartment from .splashing into the dispensing chamber.

The new apparatus has `aminimum `oimoving parts and includesno valves or metering orifices which might become plugged 'in handling viscous suspensions of nely ydivided solids. .It is well adapted, for example, for .dispensing accurately 'controlled lquantities of :.fsuch nm'a'terials as milk .of lime (a :suspension Yof lhydrated lime .in water) which are very diiiicult to dispense in measured quantities with ordinary dispensing apparatus. The `-milk of lime commonly used las a :reagent vin vvarious chemical and metallurgical :processes Vis a liquid lhaving `a fspecic .gravity of .approximately `1.2 `and ra consistency approximating `*that of thick cream. When .conventional dispensing vapparatus is used to Ideliver it .in controlled amounts,'the apparatus soon ybecomes :coated with ra thick paste 7.of `lime which gradually 'stiffens and .interferes with operation 'of the device. Meter- .ving orices and'valves commonly become clogged so as to be incapable of functioning properly. .If the operation is intermittent, the dispensing apparatus must be thoroughly cleaned .each time -it is shut down, for otherwise the lime deposit ad- `hering 'to it will dry and harden, makingthedispenser inoperative. i

'These disadvantages are Vovercome bythe dispensing .apparatus .of the invention. The lmilk of .lime `or .other liquid kbeing dispensed is handled only in pip-es or compartments lof large `cross- ,sectionalsize which do lnot clog easily. In Ynor- .mal operation of the device, the vliquid being .dispensed .is .continuously .in .a state of motion .so `thatiit ismaintained homogeneous throughoutits mass. The .swing pipe .through which 'the liquid :flows to the dispensing chamber and the divider plate *which .deiiects a lchosen fraction Vor the liq- Yuid .into the dispensing 1chamber 'and the 4ibalan'ce into the .overflow :chamber fare both .kept clean by the scour-ing effect vof :the continuously flowing liquid. The v,dispensing .apparatus therefore :cequires .a minimum of attention fduring operation, and its design is such that it .can `bie drained readily, :and-suiiciently-soas not to require e cleaning, when not inruse.

A preferred .embodiment iof the .new dispensing apparatus .is shown in .the .single figure -of 'the :accompanying drawing. .The drawing Ishows ithe dispensing apparatus in perspective, with a part of the wall of the dispensing vessel broken away so that the interior arrangement of the parts may be seen clearly.

Referring to the drawing, the dispensing apparatus comprises a vertical drum-shaped vessel I having a cylindrical wall II and a bottom I2. The vessel is divided -interiorly by a vertical partition I3 into a reservoir compartment I4 and a discharge compartment I5. The partition I3 is advantageously welded to the cylindrical wall of the vessel, along substantially diametrically opposite lines, and to its bottom I2, in order to make a liquid-tight joint therewith. The partition is apertured by having one upper corner cut away, the bottom of such aperture forming an overflow weir I6 over which liquid from the reservoir compartment I4 can overflow into the discharge compartment I5. Inlet pipes I I extending substantially to the bottom of the reservoir compartment provide for the delivery of liquid into such compartment and for maintaining it full of liquid to the level of the Weir. i

The lower portion of the discharge compartment is separated by a divider plate I8 into a dispensing chamber I9 and an overflow chamber 20. The divider plate is mounted substantially at a right angle to the partition I3, and is welded thereto and to the cylindrical wall I I' and bottom 'I2 of the dispensing vessel so as to form a liquidtight partition between the dispensing chamber I9 and the overflow chamber 23. The upper edge I8a of the divider plate advantageously is beveled Y I8a of the divider plate. The baille 2l is located to the side of the weir I6, and advantageo-usly is secured in position by welding to the partition and to the cylindrical wall II of the vessel. The lower edge 22 of the baille is located well above the bottom I2 of the vessel, so that it does not interfere with the flow of liquid through the overow chamber 20; but it serves to prevent liquid overflowing the weir I6 from splashing across the divider plate I8 into the dispensing chamber I9.

An outlet pipe 23 fastened to the partition I3 projects into the discharge chamber I5 at a point vertically above the divider plate I8, and communicates through the partition with the interior of the reservoir chamber I4 at a level somewhat below the weir I6. A swing pipe 24 is pivotally secured to the outlet pipe 23 in the discharge chamber I5. The swing pipe most conveniently comprises a conventional pipe T 25 having its stem loosely threaded on the outlet pipe 23, with upper and lower pipe arms 26 and 2l threaded into the run of the T. The lower end of the lower arm 2 terminates just above the upper edge I8a of the divider plate, so that the swing pipe assembly, by turning on the threaded joint between the outlet pipe 23 and the T, can move through an arc of travel across the upper edge of the divider plate from a position where the lower end of its lower arm 21 opens into the dis- 'pensing chamber I9 to a position where its lower end opens into the overilow chamber 20. The upper arm 26 of the swing pipe extends far upper end.

For moving the swing pipe through its arc of travel, a pair of retaining plates 28 are secured to its upper arm 26. A nut (not shown) which is held non-rotatably between the retaining plates 28 engages a lead screw 29 supported in bearings 30 and 3| mounted respectively in the cylindrical wall of the vesesl and in the baille 2 I. Collars 32 prevent axial movement of the lead screw 29 in its supporting bearings without interfering with its rotational movement. A hand wheel 33 mounted on the end ofthe lead screw 29 where it projects outside the wall of the vessel is provided for convenience in manipulating it. By turning the hand wheel, the lead screw causes the nut held non-rotatably between the retaining plates 28 to advance or retreat along the screw, thereby moving the swing pipe through its arc of travel. The lead screw assembly also serves to hold the swing pipe at any selected position in such arc of travel.

The reference scale 34 mounted on the partition I3 may be provided to serve as a guide for setting the swing pipe in the proper position in its arc of travel. One edge of one of the retaining plates 28 may serve as a'reference point for noting the location of the swing pipe 24 relative to the scale 34, or if desired a pointer (not shown) attached to the swing pipe may be provided as a convenience for this purpose.

A delivery pipe 35 communicates with the interior of the disepnsing chamber I9 through the bottom I2 of the vessel. The delivery pipe may lead to any desired point of use of the liquid entering the dispensing chamber I 9, or, as shown in the drawing, it may empty into a distributing vessel 3B having a series of distributing outlets 31 all arranged in a horizontal plane for distributing substantially equal portions of the dispensed liquid to a plurality of points of use.

An overilow conduit 38 communicates with the interior of the overflow chamber 29 0f the discharge compartment through the bottom I2 of the vessel. All liquid overflowing the weir I6, and such portion of the liquid delivered through the swing pipe 27 as is deilected by the divider plate I8 into the overflow chamber, flows into the overflow conduit 38, through which it may be pumped to a holding tank (not shown) and thence may be recirculated through the inlet pipes II to the reservoir compartment of the dispensing vessel.

A sump pipe line 39 including a control valve 4I] connects' the reservoir compartment at the bottom thereof with the overflow conduit 33. The sump pipe line permits emptying the reservoir compartment I 4 whenever the apparatus is not in use.

Operation of the apparatus is very simple and easily controlled. Liquid to be dispensed (such, for example, as milk of lime) is delivered continuously into the reservoir compartment through the inlet pipes I'I. Thereby the reservoir compartment is lled and kept filled to the level of the weir I3. Excess liquid delivered through the inlet pipes overilows the Weir into the overflow chamber 20, whence it is withdrawn through the overflow conduit 38 and may be recirculated to the reservoir compartment. The continual flow of liquid through the dispensing apparatus keeps it well mixed.

The continual introduction of liquid into the reservoir compartment insures maintaining the liquid therein at a constant level determined by the Weir, and so insures maintenance of a constant head of liquid above the outlet pipe 23. A

swing pipe is positioned in -its arc of travel so that -fY this stream strikes the upper edge of the divider plate 'Ii-8 and is-deilected -in `part into the zdispens- `chamber I9 'and in part into the overiiow chamber "-20, The beveled upper 'edge ia oi the divider plate facilitates splitting the strearn'with aminimum of splashing. 'The 'amount of liquid entering the dispensing chamber I9 may be accurately controlled by manipulation of the hand wheel 33 and of the lead screw 29 attached thereto. proper position so that the correct quantity of liquid issuing from its lower arm 21 is being deilected by the divider plate into the dispensing chamber I9, it is held in such position bythe lead screw 29. The scouring action of the constant iiow of liquid through the swing pipe and over the divider pipe prevents any accumulation of solids from building up in or on these elementsand so insures a constant rate of delivery of the liquid into the dispensing chamber over long periods of time.

If it is desired to discontinue delivery of liquid into the dispensing chamber I9 without shutting down the dispensing apparatus, the swing pipe may be turned through its arc of travel so that the entire stream of liquid issuing from' its lower arm 21 enters the overflow compartment 29. When it is desired to shut down the apparatus, the introduction of liquid through the inlet pipes I'l is discontinued and the reservoir compartment I4 is drained by opening the valve 4t. Drainage is sufficiently complete so that no special cleaning of the apparatus is normally required.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the new dispensing apparatus is simple in design and yeiJ effective for dispensing, in accurately controlled quantities, milk of lime and other liquids containing large amounts of solids in suspension which are difcult to handle in conventional dispensing apparatus.

We claim:

1. Dispensing apparatus for liquids comprising a vessel, a vertical partition dividing the interior of said vessel into a reservoir compartment and a discharge compartment, a divider plate separating the lower portion of the discharge compartment into a dispensing chamber and an overflow chamber, an overflow weir formed adjacent the upper edge of said vertical partition providing for the overflow oi excess liquid from said reservoir to said overiow chamber, an outlet pipe communicating through said partition with the interior of said reservoir compartment, a swing pipe connected to said outlet pipe in the discharge compartment and movable through an arc of travel across the upper edge of the divider plate from the dispensing chamber to the overflow chamber, means for holding the swing pipe in any chosen position in its arc of travel, and a delivery conduit communicating with the interior of the dispensing chamber for withdrawing liquid discharged from the reservoir compartment through the swing pipe into the dispensing chamber.

2. Dispensing apparatus for liquids comprising a vessel, a vertical partition dividing the interior of said vessel into a reservoir compartment and a discharge compartment, at least a part of the upper edge of said partition forming an overflow Once the swing pipe has been set in the' weir, means if or maintaining said :reservoir comtion to prevent liquid overflowing Ithe weir'from entering said dispensing chamber, an outlet pipe communicating through said partition `with the interior of the reservoir compartment 1vat ya llevel below the weir, `a swing -pipe pivotally secured to vsaid outlet Ipipe 'in the discharge compartment and movable through an arc of travel facro'ss :the Aupper edge of the divider plate from zthe v'dispensing `'chamber `to the overow chamber, means for holding the swing lpipe in -any chosen position in its arc of travel, a ldelivery pipe communicating with the interior of the 4dispensing chamber at the bottom thereof for withdrawing such portion of liquid discharged from the reservoir compartment through the swing pipe as is deflected by the divider plate into the dispensing chamber, and an overow conduit communicating with the interior of the overflow chamber at the bottom thereof for withdrawing liquid owing into said chamber.

3. Dispensing apparatus for liquids comprising a vessel, a vertical partition dividing the interior of said vessel into a reservoir compartment and a discharge compartment, a divider plate separating the lower portion of the discharge compartment into a dispensing chamber and an overow chamber, an overflow Weir formed adjacent the upper edge of said vertical partition providing for the overow of excess liquid from said reservoir to said overflow chamber, an outlet pipe communicating through said partition with the interior of said reservoir compartment, and extending into the discharge compartment; at a point vertically above the upper edge of the divider plate, a swing pipe pivotally connected to said outlet pipe in the discharge compartment and movable back and forth through an arc oi' travel across the upper edge of the divider plate from the dispensing chamber to the overflow chamber, a nut secured to the swing pipe and an axially immovable rotatable screw engaging said nut for moving the swing pipe through its arc of travel and for holding it in any chosen position in said arc of travel, and a delivery pipe communicating with the interior of the dispensing chamber at the bottom thereof for withdrawing liquid discharged from the reservoir through the swing pipe and deected by the divider plate into the dispensing chamber.

4. Dispensing apparatus for liquids comprising a vessel, a vertical partition dividing the interior of said Vessel into a reservoir compartment and a discharge compartment, said partition being apertured adjacent its upper edge to form an overilow weir, an inlet conduit extending into the reservoir compartment adjacent the bottom thereof for introducing a continuous stream of liquid to be dispensed, thereby to maintain said reservoir compartment full of liquid to the level of said Weir, a divider plate separating the lower portion of the discharge compartment into a dispensing chamber and an overflow chamber, a bafe plate mounted in the overiiow compartment in position to prevent liquid overflowing the Weir from entering said dispensing chamber, an outlet pipe communicating through said partition with the interior of the reservoir compratment at a level below the weir, a swing pipe pivotally secured to said outlet pipe in the discharge compartment and movable through an are of travel across the upper edge of the divider plate from the dispensing chamber to the overow chamber, means for holding the swing pipe in any chosen position in its arc of travel, a delivery pipe communicating with the interior of the dispensing chamber at the bottom thereof for withdrawing such portion of liquid discharged from the reservoir compartment through the swing pipe as is deected by the divider plate into the dispensing chamber, and an overiiow conduit communicating with the interior of the overflow chamber for withdrawal and recirculation of liquid deflected thereto by the divider plate and overflowing thereto from the reservoir compartment.

OLE JOHN EIDE.

JOHN ARTHUR JOHNSON.

CLIFFORD FERDINAND MILKWICK.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

